Mumbai, Nov 20 : Aditya Aluminium, a unit of Aditya Birla Group’s Hindalco Industries Limited, is driving sustainable livelihood development and environmental stewardship in rural Odisha through Project Basketry a unique Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative implemented in partnership with the NGO Uphold Earth.
The project aims to create stable income opportunities for rural women by reviving traditional bamboo craftsmanship across Laumal and nearby villages in Sambalpur district, company officials said on Wednesday.
At its core, Project Basketry focuses on empowering local artisans with resources, training, and sustainable raw material support. Bamboo saplings are distributed among community members to encourage widespread bamboo cultivation a renewable, eco-friendly resource crucial for long-term craft-based livelihoods. By enabling artisans to grow their own bamboo, the initiative ensures a reliable supply of raw materials and strengthens long-term self-reliance.
Kailash Pandey, Head of Mining Business and Sambalpur Cluster Head, said:
“Project Basketry embodies Aditya Aluminium’s vision of inclusive growth with environmental responsibility. By empowering rural women and revitalizing traditional craftsmanship, we are building resilient communities anchored in skill, creativity, and self-reliance.”
To enhance craft skills, Aditya Aluminium Lapanga conducted a 40-day hands-on training programme on bamboo handicraft making in Laumal village, beginning September 12, 2024. Participants were trained in designing and producing utility-based products such as laundry bins, paper bins, and baskets. The sessions covered every step—from raw material preparation and design to product finishing and market linkage.
Fifteen women artisans participated in the first phase of training, collectively producing and selling 1,350 bamboo products and generating a revenue of ₹1,71,870. The outcome demonstrated not only their improved craftsmanship and confidence but also the commercial viability of bamboo-based microenterprise models at the grassroots level.
Buoyed by the success, Aditya Aluminium’s CSR team has set an ambitious target to scale the initiative from 15 to 100 women across several villages in the Rengali block during the current financial year. The broader goal is to develop Rengali as a “Cluster of Bamboo Craft,” creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that nurtures artisans, builds strong market linkages, and positions the region as a hub for sustainable bamboo products.
Beyond economic empowerment, the initiative carries substantial environmental benefits. Bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that enriches green cover, prevents soil erosion, and reduces pressure on timber resources. Through Project Basketry, Aditya Aluminium is promoting a circular model that aligns livelihood generation with ecological conservation.